Quitting smoking has rapid effect on vein health

People who quit smoking could lower their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease much more quickly than previously thought.

This is the conclusion of a new study at the University of Alabama, which examined data from the Cardiovascular Health Study from 1989 to 2002 and compared 853 people who quit smoking 15 or fewer years ago to 2,557 people who had never smoked.

It found that over-65s who smoked 20 cigarettes a day for no more than ten years (or the equivalent, such as less than one pack a day for 30 years) and gave up 15 years previously were able to lower their risk of dying from heart failure, heart attacks and strokes to the same level as people who had never smoked in a median of eight years.

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This is much lower than previous studies have reported, with past research suggesting it may 15 years or longer for the benefits to be felt.

Lead author Dr Ali Ahmed said at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013: 'Now there's a chance for even less of a waiting period to get a cleaner bill of cardiovascular health ... if you smoke, quit and quit early!'

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